US brand Danny Shane have been around since 2009, and the Pro Bib Tight is one of the latest additions to their line up.
According to Danny Shane, these tights are designed for Autumn and Winter riding - but lets be honest, they're going to work on chilly spring mornings too. The lightweight nature of the fabric and the lack of extra wind/water resistance on the wind-facing panels would probably put me off using the Pro Bibs in really foul weather, but what they lack in ultimate resistance to the elements they more than make up for in other areas.
The first thing I noticed when putting on the tights was how well they conformed to my legs. Unlike the last couple of tights I've tested, the Danny Shanes remain tight around my knees without cutting off blood supply to my quads or calves - always a plus in my book. The material used on the interior also feels great against the skin, a fleecy affair - as all good tights have - but noticeably softer than many others I've tried.
The tights come without a pad which I generally prefer as I can pick and choose my best shorts to wear underneath, and could also occasionally get away with wearing them for a bit longer between washes. The straps are made from a fine mesh that prevents the shoulders and back getting overly sweaty, and are wide enough not to dig into the shoulders. At the other end of the tights, a long ankle zip makes for easy donning/removal even with shoes if you're careful.
At 6 feet tall and 75-odd kilos, the mediums fit me perfectly and became a favourite of mine to wear on colder days. At 139 quid, they're certainly on the expensive side, and to call them good value I might have liked a bit more wind and rain resistance really. None the less, the Danny Shane Pro Bib Tights have been a solid - and very comfortable - addition to my winter and spring wardrobe and no doubt I'll be breaking them out next autumn too.
Verdict
Well fitted, comfortable pair of lightweight winter tights - not cheap though
road.cc test report
Make and model: Danny Shane Pro Bib Tight
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
From Danny Shane:
Bring ultimate warmth and comfort to your Autumn and Winter riding with our new Pro Bib Tight. Our ultra-light-weight thermal bib gives you increased protection against the cold with protection all the way down to your shoes. It features a 100% nylon top for extra softness and comfort along with a 7-inch ankle zip for custom fit at the bottom. These tights are designed to be worn with your favourite pair of bib shorts and therefore do not have an integral pad/chamois.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
10/10
One of the most comfortable pairs of tights I've ever worn
Rate the product for value:
6/10
Just a tad expensive considering there's no resistant panels, and how often it rains/is windy in this country.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Well
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The comfort
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The lack of more rugged protection
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Any other comments? Would get a 9 overall but lose a mark because I think they are a touch expensive for what they are - not that you won't get a lot of wear out of them, but the initial outlay is still a tad salty.
Age: 21 Height: 182cm Weight: 73kg
I usually ride: On-One Carbon Whippet Single Speed MTB/Kinesis Pro6 My best bike is: Scott CR1 Pro
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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